Chapter 1558: Chapter 961: Honored Guest Entering the Inner Chamber

Early the next morning, as the sky was just getting light, the north wind howled with cold. Under the warm covers, Shu Ci was in a sound sleep.

Then, a series of knocks came from outside the door.

Baili An was sitting in front of the wall, meditating. He opened his eyes and glanced at the sky outside the window.

It was still so early, and there were barely any pedestrians on the road. Who would choose to visit at the crack of dawn?

If not to disturb someone’s dream on purpose, there must be an urgent matter.

The knocking was not noisy, appearing very polite and rhythmic, yet it continued persistently without pause.

As expected, the sweetly asleep Shu Ci on the bed was awakened by it.

Animals have a keen sense of hearing, and Shu Ci, with tousled hair, looked indifferent: "Who is it, so early in the morning, interrupting my sweet dreams? Are they tired of living?"

Baili An got up to open the door, only to see a familiar face.

Clad in an immaculate white robe, she carried the unique chill of the early morning, like an ancient spring, with a cold and refreshing taste.

Her pitch-black eyes were also chillingly cool, as if they could see through the human heart.

Baili An looked at the woman outside the door with a face of astonishment, not saying a word.

Su Jing’s expression was calm, and she spoke evenly: "You must be Wen Hanwei’s new disciple, Ji Xinnian?"

Seeing she did not recognize him, Baili An felt relieved in his heart and said, "Greetings, Senior Sister Su Jing."

Su Jing pressed her lips together and fell into a subtle silence for a moment, then said, "The Sect Master’s wife is arriving in Shifang City this afternoon, instructing all disciples to go together. You must make preparations."

For some reason, compared to usual times, her voice was three decibels louder.

Inside, Shu Ci, who was tossing and turning, indeed became more irritable.

Baili An nodded in agreement.

Without saying much, Su Jing departed cleanly and resolutely after delivering her message, leaving behind an agitated and sleepless Shu Ci tossing on the bed.

Baili An was perplexed about Su Jing’s intention. If it were merely to inform about the Sect Master’s wife’s impending arrival,

how could it require the Young Master of Taixuan herself to come and announce it?

At noon, Li Banfen arrived at the inn, and all Taixuan disciples were required to greet her solemnly as disciples do.

Afu Tu and Shu Ci belonged to the demon group, so Baili An had them stay in the inn.

Since he needed to act with Ji Xinnian’s identity in Shifang City, he had to at least meet Li Bansheng, even if he didn’t want much interaction.

Li Bansheng entered the city using sword control and came to the agreed inn, but even before entering the inn.

She saw the white-clad figure patiently waiting by the inn’s entrance.

Seeing this scene, Li Bansheng couldn’t help but smile knowingly, and her gaze immediately became warm and gentle.

Over the past two hundred years, her relationship with her daughter had always been distant. Su Jing, from a young age, due to health reasons, remained distanced from close kin.

Ever since the accident two hundred years ago, Li Bansheng knew deeply of her shortcomings towards her. There were rarely any times the mother and daughter connected heart to heart.

Su Jing was used to roaming alone, and though she seemed cold, her actions were particularly crazy and persistent.

The knot in their hearts was hard to untangle, and whether toward her or Su Guanhai, she often avoided them, clearly family, yet like strangers.

It seemed that Baili An’s survival and reuniting with Yin Baishuang was enough for her to let go of the past.

Were it not for her new state of mind, Li Bansheng couldn’t believe she would be personally welcomed by her daughter one day.

Li Bansheng smiled as she walked lightly ahead, "Jing, are you waiting for your mother?"

Su Jing turned her eyes and looked at Li Bansheng, nodding slightly, "The Taixuan disciples in Shifang City have gathered. If mother has instructions, please proceed to the second floor."

Though in her words, the marks of formality and distance were still heavy.

But Li Bansheng didn’t mind, her expression becoming more warm and simple.

Entering the inn, led by Su Jing, Li Bansheng asked gently about her recent health condition as they headed towards the staircase to the second floor.

Suddenly, Li Bansheng’s gentle words halted abruptly.

In an instant, it felt as if her crown was filled with endless ice and snow.

Her face turned deathly pale, and the leg she was lifting onto the step suddenly stiffened, as if an invisible ghost hand seized her ankle tightly.

This change happened so suddenly that even Su Jing couldn’t help but look over and ask with concern, "Mother?"

Li Bansheng looked as if she felt extremely uncomfortable, as if her hidden injuries erupted in anger.

Her complexion unbearably grim, she slowly turned her head to look at Su Jing, her eyes losing their tenderness, her voice squeezed through gritted teeth:

"Is that smelly boy Baili An here as well?!"

Su Jing was taken aback, seemingly unable to understand when her mother’s intuition became so keen.

Before she could speak, the sound of many disciples moving on the second floor arose.

The Taixuan disciples came out from the guest rooms one after another, respectfully greeting at the staircase: "Disciple greets Madam."

Li Bansheng immediately recognized Baili An standing in a corner among the crowd, also following everyone to shout Madam.

Li Bansheng’s eyes reddened with anger, gritting her teeth; veins on her forehead slightly bulged.

She bellowed angrily, her gaze as if it could devour someone: "You!"

Baili An saw her gaze directed at him and was momentarily puzzled.

He quickly stepped out, approached, and bowed in salute: "Disciple of Taixuan Nine Classics, Ji Xinnian, greets the Sect Master’s wife."

Li Bansheng regarded Baili An hatefully, unable to speak her grievance.

Baili An’s face at the moment was flawlessly disguised, evidently to conceal his identity.

Despite her indifference to his life, she had to consider her daughter Jing’s feelings.

Even if her heart burned with anger, she couldn’t reveal Baili An’s identity under the public gaze.